Jet-propelled airplane toy



Oct. 11, 1949. T. A. SCHAAD JET PROPELLED AIRPLANE TOY Filed April 19,1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 11, 1949. T. A. SCHAAD JET PROPELLED AIRPLANETOY 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Filed April 10. 1946 wrewraxe 795000/25 A. SCf/A 0f 1 ATTOP/VE Y Oct. 11, 1949. T. A. SCHAAD 2,484,468

' JET PROPELLED AIRPLANE TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 10, 1946 I MkMOp 795000/25 ,4. SZWAAD ATTO/Q/VE Y Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE JET-PROPELLED AIRPLANE T Theodore A. Sehaad, Detroit,Mich. Application April 10, 1946, Serial No. 661,132

Claims.

This invention relates to toys and in particular to jet propelledairplane toys.

The primary objects of the present invention are to provide a toy whichemploys miniature airplanes driven by the reaction of a jet of gas,preferably air, which simulates the sound of jet airplanes in flight,which demonstrates the propulsion of jet airplanes, in which theminiature jet propelled airplanes may take off and land, and whichprovides simultaneously combined educational and recreational features.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, two of many possibleembodiments thereof are disclosed herein. While these two embodimentsemploy many of the desirable features of a. unitary toy such asincluding air compressing means and a reservoir for compressed air, itis recognized that many other convenient means for providing compressedair or a flow of air under pressure for operating toysembodying theinven tion may be employed."

. With the foregoing in view, other objects of the invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which: i Fig. 1 is anelevational view of a jet propelled airplane toy embodying the inventionwith portions thereof shown in section to illustrate the constructionmore clearly.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view at the top ofthe toy showing in considerable detail a preferred construction of therotating hub and valving means employed through which air under pressureis supplied to miniature jet airplane. i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view at the bottomof the toy showing the valve means employed between the air pumpingmeans and the rubber bladder and the sealing means employed between thebladder, the spherical housing and the base.

Fig 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the jet propelled airplanetoy disclosed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a miniature airplane preferablyemployed with the invention, portions thereof being broken away toindicate how the jet tubes and jet airplane sound simulating means areincorporated thereinto.

Fig. '7 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the inventionwith portions thereof shown in section to illustrate the constructionmore clearly.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the top ofthe embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig, 7 showing inconsiderable detail the rotating hub and valve means preferablyemployed.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portionof the bottom and base of the embodiment of the invention disclosed inFi '7.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like andcorresponding parts throughout the several views, the illustrativeembodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1-6 inclusive comprises acircular base l0 upon which a spherical housing H is mounted ashereinafter described in detail, a bladder l2 within the said housing II, a pump l3 within the said bladder l2 adapted to inflate the saidblad-- der and create air pressure therewithin, a pair of outwardlydisposed tubular arms l4 rotatably' mounted on said housing ll,communicating passages between said bladder l2 and said tubular arms 14through which air under pressure from said bladder 12 may pass, valvemeans It controlling the passage of air from said bladder 1 12 to saidtubular arms I4, flexible tubing l1 connected to and depending from theouter ends of said tubular arms l4, jet propelled miniature airplanes 18connected to and depending from the said flexible tubing I! which rotatethe said tubular arms l4 when air under pressure is permitted to passfrom the jet airplanes l8, and either or both of the jet airplane soundsimulating means l9 and I carried by said miniature jet airplane IS. Thesaid rotation of the tubular arms l4 causes the flexible tubing I! toassume the position indicated by the dot and dash lnes I'll] in 'Fig. 1whereby the miniature jet propelled airplanes l8 take off andfly aroundthe said spherical housing H which is preferably provided with a map ofthe globe thereover.

The said spherical housing I l preferably formed of metal and isprovided with diametrically opposite circular apertures 20 and 2| in thetop and bottom thereof respectively. The top of the cylinder 22 of thepump I3 is provided with a cap 23 formed to include a guide 24 throughwhich the pump rod 25 reciprocates. An operating handle 26 is threadedonto the top of the said pump rod 25 by means of which the pump piston21 fixed onto the bottom of the pump rod 25 is manually reciproated tofill the bladder l2. The centrally 24 of the pump cap disposed tubularguide bladder l2 through the said centrally disposed tubular 23 and thepump rod 25 ex-- tend upwardly through the aperture 20 in the top of thespherical housing I I preferably in the manner hereinafter more fullydescribed in detail,

depending lip 32 which serves as a seal against the inner cylindricalsurface of the pump cylinder. 22 during the down or pumping stroke ofthe pump piston 21-. A; painof; thin rubber flapper valves 33 secured ofthe pumpoylinder 2'2.just abovepump outlet ports; 34-. by means ofrivets 3,5 permitair forced from the pump l3 to enter the bladder I2;and prevent compressed:- air within the bladder I2 to escape; backintothe-said pump It; When the bladder I2- is infiatedit assumesaeposition against the inside surface of the spherical housing is! Arcinculan pumpbottom member 35 ispref'erably brazed into the. bottom ofthe pump cylinder 22 and. issecured to, the base ID by a suitable tommember 36 isformed to: provide an: annular beveled: bearing area: 38which clamps down on lower annular periphery I26 of the bladder I 2 andan annular gasket tfi located. in the-lower aperture 2I. through, the;spherical housing II Whichengages the-lower annular periphery I I d ofthe spherical housing I:I; all insuch a manner as to. secure the pumpI3-, the bladder" jacent the-annular periphery Must/hereof between:the-said annular gasket39iand the bearing area. 38 of-thesaid hump.bottom member 35;.

2 5,0, and.-2 5.1 through which .air issupplied into the pump cylinder22 above the piston 23? from whence. it passesbelow the saidlpistonilduring the"up stroke of the said'piston as hereinbeioredescribedindetail.

simultaneously secures. the: upper portion of the bladder I2- adjacentthe up per annularperiphery I200- thereof betweenithesaid washers 4-1.-and. 42-. and theupper. annular periphery of, the-sphericalhousing Itbetween.

i said washers 42 and 43. An telescoped in rotatable relationship overthe thin chase 46 into andthroughthe said'oppositely disposed radiallyextending tubular arms It. A pair of oppositely disposed apertures orports 48 are proyidecllthroug-h the thin upper end of the said invertedshouldered sleeve 40 which provide air thereof around thesaid-sleeve4-B.

The valve member I5 comprises a headedvalve sleeve 5I telescoped-overthe tubular guide 24011 the pump cap 23.- and intothetop of the sleeve0. with the bottom ofthe head 52 thereof dis.- posed against the upperannular end 49 of-the saidslightly, below the ports 48 from withinthebladder I2 may pass up the inside of: the; sleeve-.49, through theports. 48, into the chase 36 of the hub 45, through the tubular armscompression of the spr1ng54 until the bottom end of the valve sleeve 5'Ipasses the bottom of the ports 48. in thesleeve member 40 whereupon airpressure in the bladder I2 abovethat permitted by the said compressionspring 54 is-prevented. Thus,.the--valve member IIiserves both as an on.and off valveand asafety valve.

depending flexible tube I'I; see Flg; 6. A suitable whistle tubeIQlocated .in the empennage of the airplane I8 adjacentthe free-end ofthejet. tube-56 is preferably employed to simulatathesound of. actualjet propelled air:- planes: in-flight. As; an alternate or auxiliary'tothe whistletube- I 9 usedfor simulating the sound ofialjet propelledairplane in-flight, the sound :sim.-- ulating means I90 may be employed.Thisqsound ment of the invention .-a circular base 68 upon which aspherical housing 6! which serves as a compressed air chamber is by toengage an annular washer said air valve 15 which support the same abovethe said sleeve 19 to which vibrates and causes an extremely high pitchas the said jet airplanes l8 rotate around the housing H. r 1

Referring now to Figs. 1, 8 and 9, the embodidisclosed therein comprisesmounted, an air supply connection 82 to said housing Bl, a pair ofoutwardly disposed tubular arms 63 rotatably mounted on said housing 81,communicating passages between said housing 6i and said tubular arms 83through which air under pressure from said housing 6| may pass, valvemeans 84 controlling the passages of air from said housing 8| to saidtubular arms 63, flexible tubing 85 connected to and depending from theouter ends of said tubular arms 63, jet propelled miniature airplanes 18connected to and depending from the said flexible tubing 65 which rotatethe said tubular arms 83 when air under pressure is permitted to passtherethrough from said housing. Either or both of the jet airplane soundsimulating means 19 and I80 is preferably employed as hereinafterdescribed in detail in connection with the said miniature jet airplanesl8 to provide realistic sound to the toy during flights of the saidminiature airplanes l8. The rotation oi the tubular arms 63 causes theflexible tubing 85 to assume the position indicated by the dot and dashlines 650 in Fig. '7 whereby the miniature jet airplanes l8 take off andfly around the said spherical housing 5| which is preferably providedwith a map of the globe thereover. The said housing BI is preferablysecured to the circular base 88 by means of a stud 68 disposed throughan aperture 81 in the center of the said base 88 and threaded into andthrough an anchorage disc 68 having its lower outer periphery beveled at69 as best shown in Fig. 9 where- 10 disposed in the aperture ll formedin the bottom of the said housing 61. The tightening of the stud 66simultaneously secures the housing 6| to the base 68 and hermeticallyseals the joint between the housing SI and the anchorage disc 68. Thestud 68 is provided with an axial bore 12 from its threaded end 668disposed within the said housing 8| into its head communicating with athreaded radial bore 13 therein which receives the inner threaded end oftubing 14 having a suitable air valve 15 threaded on the outer end issuitably threaded at 18 to permit connection to air supply means such asa pump, compressed air bottle or a flexible hose having a mouthpiecethereon. The base 60 is preferably provided with a plurality of feet 11the floor or a table at a sufficient height thereabove to accommodatethe said stud 86, tubing 14 and air valve 15.

The top of the said spherical housing Bl is provided with an aperture 18through which an inverted shouldered annularly headed sleeve 19 istelescoped. An anchorage nut 88 threaded on the said sleeve 19 engagesthe spherical housing Bl adjacent the aperture 18 therethrough, securesthe said spherical housing BI and hermetically seals the joint betweenthe said sleeve 19 and the said housing 8|. An annular hub M istelescoped in rotatable relationship over the thin upper end of the saidinverted shouldered sleeve 19 and is-supported on the top thereof. The Iof the said anchorage nut 88. The said annular hub 8| is provided withan annular chase 82 around the inner periphery thereof and has outwardlydisposed tubular arms 63 telescopingly supported in radially oppositeapertures 83 therethrough in such a manner as to permit air to pass fromthe said annular chase 82 into and through the said oppositely disposedradially extending tubular arms 83. A pair of oppositely disposed ports84 are provided through the thin upper end of the said annular sleeve 19which provide air passages from the inner periphery of the annularsleeve 19 and the said annular chase 82 within the said hub 8|. The saidsleeve 19 has its upper annular end 85 extending slightly above the topof the annular hub 8| to prevent the valve member 64 from bearing ontothe top of the said annular hub 8| whereby to assure free rotationthereof around the said sleeve 19.

The valve member ,64 comprises a headed valve sleeve 81 telescoped intothe top of the sleeve 19 with the bottom of the head 88 thereof disposedagainst the upper annular end 85 of the said sleeve 19. The valve sleeve81 of the said valve member 86 extends downwardly in the said annularsleeve 19 a distance slightly below the ports 84 therethrough andnormally closes the same. The valve sleeve 81 is preferably bored andcounterbored, and the bore thereof is threaded to accommodate a stud 89around which the conical compression spring 80 is positioned with thebase of the said spring 90 disposed against the annular head of the saidinverted annularly headed sleeve 18. As viewed in Fig. 8, oppositesidesof the counterbored portion of the said valve sleeve 81 are cutaway at 810 in such a mannor that, when the valve member 84 is turned 90degrees in either direction, the ports 84 are uncovered and air underpressure from within the housing 6| may pass up the inside of the sleeve19, through the ports 84 into the chase 82 of the hub 8 I, through thetubular arms 63, through the flexible tubing 65 connected to anddepending from the outer ends of the said tubular arms '63, and throughthe jet propelled miniature airplanes 18. If too great a pressure iscreated in the housing 6!, air under pressure in the sleeve 19 lifts thevalve member 64 upward against the compression spring '90 until thebottom end of the valve sleeve 81 passes the bottom of the ports 84 inthe sleeve member 18 whereupon air pressure in the housing 8| above thatpermitted by the said compression spring 90 is prevented. Thus, thevalve member 86 serves both as an on and oif valve and a safety valve.

Although but two embodiments of the invention have been disclosed anddescribed in detail it is obvious that many changes may be made in thesize, shape, arrangement and details of the various elements of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A jet propelled airplane toy comprising a support, a hub having anair chamber therein rotatably mounted on said support, a pair .ofdiametrically opposed outwardly extending tubular arms carried by saidhub and connected to said air chamber therewithin, a flexible tubeconnected to and depending from said outwardly extending tubular arms,an airplane mounted on the outer end of each of said flexible tubes, ajet tube disposed within each of the said airplanes and connected to oneof said flexible tubes adapted to discharge air rearwardly from said"Itub'es -al jet tube-disposed within each :of 'thersaid :airplanes andtconnectedfto one .0f.'sai1d lfiexible .tubjes adapted :tordisc'hargeair rearwardly 'from :saidaairplanes"whereby to causesaid airplanes .to

scarried byfsaid airplanes for: simulating the noise lo'fsj'etiairplanes inaiiightgahd meansifor supplying rair =un-der1pressuretorsaid airplanes through .said I-hub,:outwardly extendingarmsandflexible .tubes.

3. A 'et :propelled :airplane toy comprising a -of diametrically opposedroutwardly extending tubular arms carried bysaid :hub and connected .tosaid air :ohamber 3thereWithin, an airplane "mounted on the .outer endofzea'ch ofsaid-tubular wardl-y extending arms.

4. A jet gDI'QlQQHEd airplane toy :comprising a .ho,using.serving as aooinpressedrair. ohambena sleeve extending upwardly from vsaid housingthrough which. air may pass therefrom, a hub rtatably mounted \onsaidsleeve-andla manually operated lvalve means ,for capping the same, thelsaidhub havingan airchamber thereindisposed around .said "sleeve, saidvalve means being adapted to regulate the vflow .of air from said sleeveto the air chambenin-saidhuha pair of diametrically opposed outwardlyextending tubular armslcarried by said hub :and connected :to said airchamber therewithin, an airplane mounted nnzthe .outer end .of each .ofsaid tubular arms,.a jet tube disposed within each of the-said airplanesand connected to one .of said tubular ing the noise of a jetlairplaneinflight, and'means for supplying air under pressure to said airplanesthrough said hub and outwardly extendingarms.

55 for regulating the .flow

5 tblilaranms ;ca1:rie.d byzsaid hub;and lconnectedjto :said :airrchamber therewithin, a :fiexible {tube connected to and depending fromeach rof lithe airplanes to simulate flight-around said :housing,

:andlmeans ifor supplying :air :under pressure -:to

:said :airplanes through said ihub, routwardlyiex tending .arms andflexible tubes.

:6. A jet propelled airplane toy comprising -a housing serving was acompressed air chamber,

:alsleeve extendingupwardly from said housing through which air may passtherefrom, a .hub rotatably mounted on saidrsleeve, valve means forcapping the said sleeve, :the said hub :having :an

the :said =valve means carried by saidsleevehelingrmanua'lly rotatablewith respect to said sleeve for regulating-the fiowvof airfromlsaidsleeve to .theair chamber insaidhuband movable axially with"respect to saidlsieeve responsiveto :air ,rpres- =sure within said(housing for :relieving air presmanually rotatable with respect to saidsleeve of :air from said sleeve to the air chamber in said hub andmovable axially with respect to saidsleeveresponsive .to pressure Withinsaid iliousing for ;;relieving air ;pressure 'within .said housing,spring :means regulating 'the pressure at which :the "said valve meansmovesaxially to relieve air pressure within said housing, apairofdiametrically opposedoutwardly extending tubular zarms carried .by saidhub and connected 2110 said air chamber ':therewithimaflexibletubeconnected'to and depend- :ing from .each gofthe :said outwardlyextending tubular 'arms, an airplane :mounted on athe outer :around said:housing, and means -for supplying airunder pressurezto said airplanesthrough said said hub having anair chamber therein disposedchub,outwardly:extendingxarmseandfiexihleitubes 8. A jet propelledairplane toy comprising a housing serving as a compressed air chamber, asleeve extending upwardly from said housing through which air may passtherefrom, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, valve means forcapping the said sleeve, a pump disposed within said housing including ahollow pump rod and a guide therefor extending through said valve means,the said hollow pump rod having communicating apertures therethroughthrough which air is permitted to pass from without said housing towithin the chamber of said pump, pump valve means admitting air underpressure from said pump to within said housing during the pressurestroke of said pump and preventing the escape of air from said housingthrough said pump, the said hub having an air chamber therein disposedaround said sleeve, the said valve means carried by said sleeve beingmanually rotatable with respect to said sleeve for regulating the flowof air from said sleeve to the air chamber in said hub and movableaxially with respect to said sleeve responsive to air pressure withinsaid housing for relieving air pressure within said housing, springmeans regulating the pressure at which the said valve means movesaxially to relieve air pressure within said housing, a pair ofdiametrically opposed outwardly extending tubular arms carried by saidhub and connected to said air chamber therewithin, a flexible tubeconnected to and depending from each of the said outwardly extendingtubular arms, an airplane mounted on the outer end of each of the saidflexible tubes, a jet tube disposed within each of the said airplanesand connected to one of said flexible tubes adapted to discharge airrearwardly from said airplanes whereby to cause said airplanes tosimulate flight around said hous- 9. A jet propelled airplane toycomprising a housing, a bladder liner within said housing serving as acompressed air chamber limited in expansion by the walls of saidhousing, a sleeve extending upwardly from said bladder through saidhousing through which air may pass therefrom, a hub rotatably mounted onsaid sleeve, valve means for capping the said sleeve, the said hubhaving an air chamber therein disposed around said sleeve, the saidvalve means carried by said sleeve being manually rotatable with respectto said sleeve for regulatin the flow of air from said sleeve to the airchamber in said hub and movable axially with respect to said sleeveresponsive to air pressure within said bladder for relieving airpressure within said bladder, spring means regulating the pressure atwhich the said valve means moves axially to relieve air pressure withinsaid bladder, a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extendingtubular arms carried by said hub and connected to said air chambertherewithin, a flexible tube connected to and depending from each of thesaid outwardly extending tubular arms, an airplane mounted on the outerend of each of the said flexible tubes, a jet tube disposed within eachof the said airplanes and connected to one of said flexible tubesadapted to discharge air rearwardly from said airplanes whereby to causesaid airplanes to simulate flight around said housing.

10. A jet propelled airplane toy comprising a housing, a bladder linerwithin said housing serving as a compressed air chamber limited inexpansion by the walls of said housing, a sleeve extending upwardly fromsaid bladder through said housing through which air may pass therefrom,a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, valve means for capping the saidsleeve, a pump disposed within said bladder including a hollow pump rodand a guide therefor extending through said valve means, the said hollowpump rod having communicating apertures therethrough through which airis permitted to pass from without said bladder to within the chamber ofsaid pump, pump valve means admitting air under pressure from said pumpto within said bladder during the pressure stroke of said pump andpreventing the escape of air from said bladder through said pump, thesaid hub having an air chamber therein disposed around said sleeve, thesaid valve means carried by said sleeve being manually rotatable withrespect to said sleeve for regulating the flow of air from said sleeveto the air chamber in said hub and movable axially with respect to saidsleeve responsive to air pressure within said bladder for relieving airpressure within said bladder, spring means regulating the pressure atwhich the said valve means moves axially to re lieve air pressure withinsaid bladder, a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extendingtubular arms carried by said hub and connected to said air chambertherewithin, a flexible tube connected to and depending from each of thesaid outwardly extending tubular arms, an airplane mounted on the outerend of each of the said flexible tubes, a jet tube disposed within eachof the said airplanes and connected to one of said flexible tubesadapted to discharge air rearwardly from said airplanes whereby to causesaid airplanes to simulate flight around said housing.

THEODORE A. SCHAAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 700,494 Cady Sept. 20, 19041,295,118 Canaday Feb. 25, 1919 1,357,706 Helpern et al Nov. 2, 19201,564,352 Jensen Dec 8, 1925 1,751,723 Borgeson Mar. 25, 1930 2,336,725Englehart Dec. 14, 1943

